Baillieu’s steady rise followed by brief time in power

It’s been a short but drama-filled two years for the usually cool and calm
Ted Baillieu
.

Dubbed the “accidental Premier" after his surprise victory over Labor’s
John Brumby
in 2010, Mr Baillieu has been criticised for his laid-back nature and approach to pressing state issues.

He has faced police, nurses’ and teachers’ strikes and a 16-day blockade that took over Melbourne streets, when he was labelled a “little rich boy" by the head of the Victorian CFMEU, John Setka.

It was this sort of union activity that led Mr Baillieu, 59, into politics in the first place, frustrated by the power of unions on building sites.

The former architect joined the Carlton branch of the Liberal Party before being made president of the Victorian Liberal Party in 1992, during
Jeff Kennet
t’s leadership.

He briefly worked for his family’s real estate firm Knight Frank before winning the seat of Hawthorn, in Melbourne’s blue-chip inner east.

Elected to Parliament in September 1999, Mr Baillieu led the Liberal Party from May 2006, and the state from November 2010 as the 46th prem­ier. His election win came as a surprise to many, defeating an 11-year-old Labor government by a one-seat majority.

Since entering Parliament he has been a member of the frontbench, holding shadow portfolios during his party’s time in opposition.

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Politics runs in his veins – his great-grandfather was former Vic­torian politician William Knox.

His comfortable upbringing has made him the target of many political opponents, given that during the 2006 election campaign it was revealed his share portfolio was worth almost $4 million.

He holds memberships of the prestigious Melbourne Savage Club, the Melbourne Cricket Club and Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The father of three has been known for his early-morning swims in Port Phillip Bay as a member of the Brighton Icebergers and is an avid Geelong Football Club supporter.

Despite braving the chilling waters, Mr Baillieu’s confidence failed to translate fully in the political sphere.

In February 2008, the party, under his leadership, struck a deal with the Nationals leader, now his deputy, Peter Ryan and forged a coalition agreement.

This alliance has been tested since then, cracks appearing over an Office of Police Integrity report into the overthrow of former police commissioner Simon Overland, which involved Mr Ryan providing evidence to the inquiry, and Liberal MP Bill Tilley losing his parliamentary secretary title.

Mr Kennett, a long-time Baillieu supporter, criticised his mate last month, the former premier saying Mr Baillieu was not doing enough to promote himself and that was why his government lagged in Newspoll.

Throughout his time as leader, Mr Baillieu’s biggest push was to have a national inquiry into rising construction costs. He called for national reform, and toughened picket laws.

Despite Mr Baillieu ensuring the state maintained an AAA credit rating and a budget surplus, late last year he was heavily criticised by members of the state’s business community, who said he lacked vision and was not doing enough for the state.